Apparatus for spotting strips



Nov. 3, 1942;

T. D. THOMPSON ETAL APPARATUS FOR SPOTTING STRIPS Filed Oct. 15, 1940' 3:Sh eets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Thoma; D. Thom 7:0 & Samuel Z. WC/ner'. ,iuk wzft Nov. 3, 1942- 12D. THOMPSON ETAL 2,301,092

APPARATUS FOR SPOTTING STRIPS V Filed Oct. 15, 1940' 3 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Q///////A Y/ INVENTOR. Thomas D. T/am ason 8:

f; A ATTZZRNEYQ Nov. 3, 1942. T. D. THOMPSON ETAL APPARATUS FOR SPOTTING'STRIPS Shets-Sheet s Filed Oct. 15, 1940 j INVENTQR. Tlloma$ D. Thom 95" 8r. \samuel Z. 'We/ner Patented ..ev. 3, 1942 2,301,092 r. V. it

arrm'rcs roa sro'rrmc srmrs Thomas D. Thompson, North Branch, N. 1., and Samuel Z. Weiner, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application October 15, 1940, Serial No. 361,285

7 Claims. (Cl. 101-228) Our present invention relates generally to the manufacture of tubular material, and has particular reference to the art of making a tube by spiraling a strip of material upon itself and joining its longitudinal edges along a helical seam.

While our invention is directed primarily to the manufacture of a tube made of fabric, such as burlap, and intended for wrapping purposes, it will be understood that numerous phases of our invention may have wider applicability.

The general procedure involved in the manufacture of such a tube is more fully described and illustrated in our co-pending patent application,

( Serial No. 361,284, filed October 15, 1940. Briefly,

the corresponding marks on the other edge as the tube is created. Our present invention relates specifically to this preliminary spotting procedwto i-m-proved apparatus for producin the desired spots.

Tubing of the present character is generally required in various sizes, i. e., of different diameters, especially where it is intended to be used for wrapping purposes. With a strip of given width, tubes of different diameters can be produced by varying the slope of the helical seam. Similarly, if the slope of the helical seam is to remain constant, then tubes of different diameters can be produced only by utilizing strips of correspondingly different widths. In the case of. burlap tubing, for example, it is often desirable to arrange the helical seam at an angle of substantially 45 to the axis of the tube, or at some other particular angle, regardless of the diameter of the tube, so as to arrange the bias of the goods in coincidence or other predetermined relation with the longitudinal axis of the tube,

thereby imparting the desired stretchability to the resultant tubular structure, both longitudinally and transversely.

Accordingly. a spotting apparatus of the present character, to be commercially practical, must be so constructed that it may be readily adapted.

for use with, strips of difierenf widths. It is a general object of our invention to provide an apparatus having this capability.

Furthermore, the spotting apparatus should be of such a character that it may be adjusted to produce different arrangements of spots or marks, as called for by the width of the strip being treated, and by the slope of the helical scam in the tube for which that particular strip is intended. The provision of an apparatus having this type of adjustability is included within the general objects of our invention- Our present apparatus is capable of producing a seriesof evenly spaced distinguishing marks on one longitudinal edge of the strip, and a corresponding series of evenly spaced marks along the other longitudinal edge. In one embodiment of our invention, different widths of material, and different slopes of helical seam,are com-- pensated for by varying the spacing between the spots.

For various reasons, to be explained more fully hereinafter, it is preferable to retain the spacing between the spots at a fixed predetermined amount, regardless of the idLhgoLthestriptha is being spotted or-theslope desired in the ultimate helical seam. To accomplish this result, we have evolved a novel procedure; and in'the preferred embodiment of our invention a spotting apparatus is provided which retains the advantage of fixed predetermined spacing between the spots, and which is nevertheless readily adjustable for different widths of strips, and for varying slopes of helical seam.

We achieve the foregoing objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified iii theacc'om panying drawings in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of the general procedure involved in spiraling a strip of material upon itself to form a tubular structure, the preferred system of spotting being employed;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, in which a relatively wider strip, spotted in accordance with the same preferred system, is formed into a tubular structure;

Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view illustrating a preferred form of spotting apparatus for producing the results indicated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of Figure 3;

Figure5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a detail of the construction of Figures 3 and 4;

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 1 eachspot I8 is brought into substantial registry and 2 illustrating another system of spotting; with the corresponding spot [9 during the spiral- Figure '8 is a schematic elevational view of a ing operation. By the term corresponding spot spotting apparatus adapted to' accomplishthe l9," we refer to the spot at the other extremity results indicated in Figures 6 and 72' and of the imaginary diagonal line 22.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of Incidentally, the length of the line 22 is equal certain details of the construction of Figure 8. to the circumference of the resultant tube.

In Figure 1 we have shown a strip of material The arrangement of the spots 2| of Figure 2 which the "improved apparatus is designed. The 55 wound bundle 29. The advancement of the strip which is intended to be spiraled upon itself to is determined in a similar manner. These spots bring its longitudinal edge ll into registry with 10 are arranged so that a diagonal line drawn from the opposite longitudinal edge l2 along a helical any mark of the series 20, at an angle equal to line l3, whereby the provision of a seam along the slope desired in the helix M, will intersect the line It will produce the tubular structure one of the marks 2|. To illustrate this we have shown. shown a series of imaginary diagonal lines 24 In Figure 2 we have shown a similar strip i4 extending across the strip M at an angle 25 to intended to be spiraled so as to bring its longi-- the longitudinal axis of the strip. The lines 24,

tudnal edge it into registry with the opposite determine therelative pos n o the spots longitudinal edge I6 along a helical line H. The and 2|, and if the slope of the helix ll of Figure strip 64 is wider than the strip l2, and if the 2 is to be the same as that of the helix l3 of slope of the helices i3 and I! is the same, then 20 Figure i, then the angle is made equal to the the diameter of the resultant tube in Figure 2 angle 23 of Figure 1. x is greater than the diameter of the resultant It will be observed that the spots 2i of Figure tube in Figure 1. 2 happen to be offset, longitudinally, with re- In accordance with our invention, the strips spect to t spots by an amount desi t d Iii and M are subjected to a preliminary process B. This offset happens to be less in Figure 2 or treatment whereby certain predetermined disthan in Figure l, but it need not necessarily be tinguishing marks or spots are provided along a y in fact bet/he sa as or eate the longitudinal edges, so that a maintenance 1 than the offset -A in Figure 1. The amount of of predetermined relation between these spots, the offset 3 is determined by the magnitude of during the spiraling operation, will maintain a the angle 25 and by the width of the strip 14. uniform diameter in the tube that is produced. But' whatever this ofiset may be, the resultant We have illustratively shown a series of evenly tube will have a predetermined uniform circumspaced marks or spots l8 along the longitudinal ference, and the helical seam ll will have a preedge ll, a second series of evenly spaced marks determined uniform slope, provided that each is along the edge l2, a series of evenly spaced spot 20 is caused to register with the correspondmarks 20 along the edge I5, anda series of evenly ing spot 2! during the spiraling operation. spaced marks 2! along the-edge It. The ability to produce tubes of uniform pre- It will be observed that the "spacing between determined diameter, regardless of the widths of the spots or marks of each series (designated the strips from which the tubes are made, is the as X) is the same as the spacing between the direct result of the spotting procedure hereinspots of the other series. before described, and is independent of the ---In accordance with our invention, the series spacing X W c ay e s ct This p n of spots [9 is applied to the strip, |E| o f Fi ur 1 may, therefore, be agyantageeusmchesendc bew in suchamanner'thata diagonal line drawn from' "a fiafi ei ii fi t f length, such as e y any mark l8, at an angle equal to the slop dewhereby the markings on the edges of the strips sired in the helical seamrjj, will intersect one may s rv he nal purpose of indicating of the marks is. To illustra e-tni e have rm asurin y shown a series of diagonal lines H WRefere M QI Figures across the strip 10. It will be understood that and 5, in which We Shown 511 illustrative these lines are not actually produced on the strip, to form of spottin ppar f r ry n out e but are shown in Figure 1 (as in the other simiprocedure indicated in Figures 1 and 2. lar figures of the present drawings) merely for In Figure 3, we have shown a strip of material the purpose of explaining the nature of the pres- 28 traveling from a supply (not shown), over the out procedure and of the basic principles upon guide rollers 2'! and 28, and ultimately onto a angle 23, formed between each diagonal line 22 ay be accomplished i any desired manner, and

and the longitudinal axis of the strip, measures we have 'illustratively shown two driving rollers, the slope of the resultant helix I3. While this 36 on which the roll 29 s formed and pangle, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is substanported. The rollers 30 may derive their power tially less than it will be understood that, in 6 from any suitable source, such as an electric e practice of our invention i connection with motor or the like. A dancing roller 3| may be the; manufacture of fabric tubing for wrapping vantageously arra v r t roll 9, and

purposes,'this angl may be of any selected larger the roller 3| will be suitably mounted in the or smaller magnitude. framework of the apparatus to allow it to be It will-be observed that the spots l9 happen moved upwardly as the diameter of the roll 29 to be oii'set, longitudinally, with respect to the increases spots 18, by an amount designated as During its passage from the roller 28 to the amount of this offset depends upon the angle 23 winding portion o e appara the strip 26 i and upon the width of the strip Ill. It may be subjected to e spo tin o a io s s any amount b t o and t distance x complished by a pair of spotters arranged in the Y But whatever this ofiset may be, if the" spots l9 P Of t v of the strip a in pe a ve relahave been arranged in the manner described, the tions to the Opp ite longitud al es o he resultant tubing will have a predetermined unistrip. Each spotter is adapted to apply a disform circumference, and the helix I3 will have tinguishing mark to the corresponding edge of a predetermined uniform slope, provided that the strip, and means are provided for operating.

-plished in any desired manner.

each spotter so as to bring it into contact with the fabric strip intermittently and at the same rate of intermittence as the other.

One method of accomplishing these results lies in providing a rotating shaft 32, arranged across the path of travel of the strip 26, and in controlling the operation of the spotters by means of this shaft. In the illustrated construction, we provide a pair of collars 33 and 34 upon the shaft 32, each collar carrying a spotter or marking device. Thus, we have shown a marking device 35 on the collar 33 (shown most clearly in Figure and a similar marking device or spotter 3.6 on the collar 34.

The spotters 35 and 36 may be of any suitable character, adapted to apply a distinguishing mark to the strip as it passes by them. One convenient way of marking or spotting the strip is to construct the spotters 35 and 36 in the form of inking devices, a suitably shaped printing surface being adapted to encounter an inkingroller during the rotation of the shaft 32. Thus, in Figure 3, we have illustratively shown an ink receptacle 31 within which a roller 38 is partially immersed, this roller, being in continuous contact with the inking roller 39, the latter being positioned so that the spotter 35 encounters it during the rotation of the spotter. Either the same receptacle 31, or a corresponding one, is associated with similar means for inking the spotter 3i. i

' Because of the fact that the spots applied to the strip are always spaced by a fixed predetermined amount, it is possible and advantageous to operate the shaft 32 in predetermined timed relation to the speed of traveLof the strip 26, so that the speed of travel of the strip is substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the spotters 35 and 36. This assures the application of a clean-cut distinguishing mark on the strip that passes over the spotters, The procedure may be further enhanced by employing a backing roller 40 which holds the strip against the spotters as the latter transfer their impressions to the strip.

The timed operation of the shaft 32, with respect to the travel of the strip 26, may be accomy The simplest way is to drive the shaft 32 from the same source of power that drivesthe rollers 30, with suitable gearing or other transmission means serving to impart the correct relative speeds to the various elements. For example, the shaft 32 may be driven, by means 'of a belt 4|, directly from one of the driving rollers 30. It will be understood,

however, that the belt device shown in the drawment 42 (Figure 5), whereby the collar may beaxially shifted along the shaft 32. It is not necessary, however, that both collars be adjustable along the shaft; and the variation in the proximity of the spotters, to take care of varying widths of strips, could be effected by having only one of thecollars 3334 shiftable axially with respect to the other.

To provide for the proper placing of the spotsalong one of the longitudinal edges of the strip with respect to the spots on the other, depending upon the angle desired for the slope of the ultiviously dependent upon the spacing X mate helix, and upon the width of the strip, at least one of the collars 33-34 is also adjustable rotatively with respect to the shaft 32. We have illustratively shown both collars adjustable in this rotative manner, although it will be understood that the desired result can be accomplished by having only one of them rotatively adjustable.

Where a series of strips of different widths are to be spotted, for the purpose of making tubes of various sizes but of uniform slope-as in the manufacture of fabric tubing having always a particular slope of helical seam--the rotative adjustments of the spotters may be facilitated by providing the shaft 32 with the helical indicia 43.

The collars which are to be rotatively adjusted (such as the collar 33 of Figure 5) are then provided with an indicating marker 44 adapted to be brought into predetermined alignment or other relationship with respect to the helical mark 43.

The pitch of the helix 43 is determined by the spacing between the spots, i. e., by the distance designated Xin Figures 1 and 2, and by the angle of the slope desired in the ultimate seam that is to be formed. This will be made apparent from a consideration of Figure 2. The pitch ofthe helical indicia 43 must be equal to the distance between the points 45, and this distance is oband upon the angle 25.

If desired, there may be several helical marks provided on the shaft 32, e. 2., one for each of several slope angles for which adjustments may be wanted.

In designing the apparatus, it should be noted that the spacing X is dependent upon the speed of rotation of the shaft 32, the distance of the strip 26 from the axis of the shaft 32, and the speed'of travel of the strip 26. If the apparatus the strip 26 is equal to the peripheral speed of the spotters, then the distance X is dependent solely upon the radial distance from the axis of the shaft 32 to the strip 26. This radial distance is therefore chosen accordingly. -With the distance X thus determined, the helical indicia 43 determines the slope which the helical seam will ultimately have, and each indicia 43 is formed on the basis of a particular angle that is desired in this helical seam.

Once the apparatus has been designed and constructed in accordance with the foregoing principles, strips of material of any desired width may be subjected to treatment, and the longitudinal edges will always be suitably spotted to provide for ultimate tubes of predetermined uniform slope of helical seam. Before treating each matically be in proper positional relation to the series of spots formed on the other longitudinal edge. 1

The apparatus may be slightly modified in various obvious respects. For example, instead of having both'spotters functioning on the underside of the strip, they might be arranged in a manner whereby one of them operates on the underside, while the other operates on the upper side of the strip. In such a case, a separate rotating shaft would be required for each of them, but by gearing the shafts togetherso as to rotate at the same speeds, the two shafts can be made to func-' tion as one.

Similarly, the spotters might be of a character which, while not rotating with the shaft, might nevertheless be caused to function intermittently by means of cams mounted on the shaft. For

' example, each of the collars 33-34 might carry a cam or the like, cooperable as the shaft rotates, with a spotter or spotting mechanism arranged in the path of action of the cam.

In Figures 6 and 7 we have illustrated a modified procedure. The strip 50 is provided with a series of spots along its longitudinal edge 52, and with a series of corresponding spots 53 along its opposite longitudinal edge 56. The spots are evenlyspaced by a distance Y, and the series of spots 53 are so arranged that a diagonal line 55, drawn from any one of the spots 5l,,at an angle equal to the desired slope of the helix 55, will intersect one of the spots 53.

In Figure 7 the wider strip 51 is provided with a series of spots 58 along its longitudinal edge 59 and a series of similar spots 60 along the opposite longitudinal edge 6|. Again, the series 60 is so arranged that a diagonal line 62 drawn from any mark 58, atan angleequal to the slope desired in the helix 53, will intersect one of the marks 60. This result is achieved, however, not by varying the offset C, which remains the same, but by varying the spacing between the spots. Thus, in Figure '7, the spots of each series are spaced apart by a distance Z, which is difler'ent from the spacing Y of Figure 6. Y

The amount of the offset C is entirely immaterial. It could, if desired, be zero, in which case each spot on one edge would be directly opposite one of the spots on the other edge.

This procedure may be carried out by means of an apparatus, shown most clearly in Figures 8 and 9, which is in some respects simpler than the apparatus hereinbefore described, but in some respects less desirable.

Inthe apparatus of Figure 8 the strip 10 passes, as before, around guide rollers 'H and 12, and is caused to wind up on the roll 13. A rotatingshaft M is again arranged across the path of travel, and on this shaft are arranged -two collars l5 and 16, carrying spotters I1 and -18 Gil respectively. Each of the collars 15 and 16 is adjustably mounted on the shaft 14, as in the previously described embodiment, but in adjusting ,the spotters toward or away from each other, they are scrupulously maintained in predetermined angular relation to each other. Thus, for the purpose of achieving the results indicated in Figures 6 and 7, one of the spotters is angularly offset from the other by a slight amount equal to the distance C shown ink-Figures 6 and '7, and during'all adjustments of the spotters in an axial direction with respect to the shaft 14, this angular relationship is maintained.

The production of spots at spaced intervals Y, as in Figure 6, or at spaced intervals Zas in Figure 7, or at any other spaced interval, depending upon the width of the strip being treated and the slope of seam that is wanted, is effected by varying the speed of rotation of the shaft 'I4.' We have illustratively shown a driving source in.the form of an electric motor 19, whose speed is capable of variable control by meansv of any suitable mechanical or electric device such as'that indicated at 80.

In other respects, the apparatus of Figure 8 may be substantially the same as that of Figure 3.

In general, it will be understood that the'details herein described and shown, for the purpose of explaining the nature of our invention, are purely illustrative, and may be modified by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, and illustrated its use, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spotting apparatus, means for continuously advancing a strip of material to be spotted, a rotating shaft arranged across the path of travel of the strip, a pair of spotters carried on said shaft, means for shifting at least one of said spotters along said shaft so that they may be arranged in' operative relations to the opposite longitudinal edges of strips of varying widths, each spotter being adapted to apply a distinguishing mark to the corresponding edge of the strip, each spotter functioning intermittently as the shaft rotates and at the same rate of intermittance as the other so as to produce a series of evenly spaced marks on each edge,

means for rotatively adjusting at least one of said spotters to vary the relative timing of operation of said spotters, and helical indicia on said shaft for guiding said shifting and rotative adjustments.

2. In a spotting apparatus, means for con-'- tinuously advancing a stripv of material to be spotted, a rotating shaft arranged across thepath of travel of the strip, a pair of collars mounted on the shaft in a manner which permits both axial and rotative adjustments therecollar mounted thereon to allow both axial and rotative adjustment, a spotter carried by said collar and adapted to apply a distinguishing mark to a strip of material. traveling past it,

and helical indicia on the shaft for guiding said axial and rotative adjustments of said collar along a predetermined helical path.

4. In! a spotting apparatus, means for continuously advancing at a uniform rate of speed a strip of material to be spotted, a pair of spotters arranged in the path of travel of the strip in operative relations to the opposite longitudinal edges of said strip, each spotter being adapted to apply a distinguishing mark to the corresponding edge of the strip, means for operating each spotter to act on the material intermittently and at the same rate of intermittanceas the other so as to produce a series of .ters arranged in the path of travel of the strip in operative relations to the opposite longitudinal edges of said strip, each spotter being adapted to apply a distinguishing mark to the corresponding edge of the strip, means for operating each spotter to act on the material intermittently'and at the same rate of intermittencevas the other so as to produce a series of evenly spaced marks on each edge, said lastnamed means comprising a rotating shaft, collars mounted on said shaft, each collar carrying one of said spotters, at least one of said collars being axially shiftable on said shaft so that the interval between said spotters may be varied, and means for rotating said shaft at varying speeds, so that the spacing between said marks may be correspondingly varied.

6. In a spotting apparatus, the combination spotters alongside the path of travel of said strip and arranged to apply distinguishing unimpeded throughout the entire extent of said range whereby said spotters may be arranged to spot the longitudinal edges of any selected one of an indefinite number of strips of varying widths, of means for operating said spotters so that each one will apply a series of longitudinally spaced marks to the corresponding edge of the strip, said means comprising a rotating shaft, a pair of collars on said shaft, each collar controlling the operation of one of said spotters, at least one of said collars being mounted for both axial and rotative adjustment on said shaft, and helical indicia on said shaft for guiding said axial and rotative adjustment along a predetermined helical path.

7. In a spotting apparatus, the combination with means for effecting a longitudinal advancement of a fabric strip of indefinite length whose longitudinal edges are to be spotted, a pair of spotters alongside the path. of travel of said strip and 1 arranged to applydistinguishing spaced marks to said strip as it passes by; and means for varying the relative proximity of .said spotters so that they may be set at any desired spacing within a predetermined range, the field of operation of said spotters being unimpeded throughout the entire extent of said range whereby said spotters may be arranged to spot the longitudinal edges of any selected one of an indefinite number of strips of varying widths, of means for operating-said spotters so that each one will apply a series of longitudinally spaced marks to the corresponding edge of the strip, said means comprising a rotating shaft, a pair 01 collars on said shaft, each spotter being carried by one of said collars, at least one of said collars being mounted for both axial and rotative adjustment on said shaft, and

helical indicia on said shaft for guiding said axial and rotative adjustment along a predetermined helical path.

THOMAS D., THOMPSON. SAMUEL Z. WEINER. 

